3 II, 3 WL. Where to go from here?

[kenykj49]

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A quick rundown of stats:

ORM, Male, NY Resident

cGPA: 3.28 (last 90 credits @ 3.94)
sGPA: 3.06
MCAT: 514 (129/126/128/131)
LOR: Pre-med committee and MD (one interviewer told me they were "really good")
Clinical Experience:

• ED Technician (3200 hours)
• Red Cross Disaster Health Service Provider - EMT (80 hours, volunteer)
• Oncology/Hematology Scribe (60 hours)
• Chief Medical Scribe, ED (576 hours, leadership)
• ED Scribe (750 hours)
• Patient Advocate with NGO (50 hours, volunteer)

Non-Clinical Experience:

• Crisis Text Line (200 hours, volunteer)
• Organic Chemistry Supplemental Instruction Leader (50 hours)
• EMT Teaching Assistant (50 hours)
• Teaching English in Indonesia (120 hours)
• IRONMAN participant

Considering my early academic mishaps, I am thankful to have received three interview invites. My cGPA and sGPA are obvious weaknesses in my application. Other possible weaknesses include lack of shadowing, no long-term commitment to a volunteer organization, the number of schools listed on my application where I took classes (7), and lack of research experience. I don't consider myself a strong interviewer, but from the two mock interviews I did (pre-med committee + friend with multiple acceptances) I received positive feedback. I smile a lot and come across as friendly and personable, however, I do have a difficult time articulating my thoughts clearly under pressure and tend to ramble. I write very well and received very positive feedback on all of my writing. My school list (30 MD, 10 DO) was created with the help of SDN and was definitely solid. The fact that I have interview invites tells me that it is either my GPA holding me back or my interviewing skills.

Where do I go from here? What are the chances one of the WL turns into an A? The only way I can see to improve my application would be to attend an SMP, get involved in research, and work on my interview skills.

 

[voxveritatisetlucis]

I’m sorry that you’re in this predicament. I know how it feels since up until this past Friday, I was in the exact same boat. Keep the faith but also begin preparing to reapply.

I’m probably going to get a lot of flak on here for even suggesting this, but I believe that the most productive improvement would be trying to aim for a 518+ MCAT. This would clearly show your academic readiness and, in my opinion, make up for the GPA. There has been MCAT inflation ever since the scoring got converted. Just look at MSAR from three years ago compared to today.

 

[Gummydinosaur]

I think it might more worth while to look into some interview practice/assistance. As @gonnif said, count your lucky stars that you got 3 interviews, it's rare for students to get that many.

I think there is a difficult balance between showing a school you are a good candidate without being a pre-recorded robot and being personable. I think most applicants, myself included, have a difficult time finding that balance.

 

[gyngyn]

I’m probably going to get a lot of flak on here for even suggesting this, but I believe that the most productive improvement would be trying to aim for a 518+ MCAT. This would clearly show your academic readiness and, in my opinion, make up for the GPA. There has been MCAT inflation ever since the scoring got converted. Just look at MSAR from three years ago compared to today.

An unexpired 514 is a fine MCAT for folks from most states (if it is their only score). Everybody "aims" for 518+, only about 5% reach it. The odds that OP's re-take would move the needle are quite low and there is always the risk that he has a bad day.

The MCAT and gpa are measures of related but different abilities. It is a common error to focus on one's strong suit instead of addressing the weak points in an application. Thankfully, OP is addressing potential weaknesses if he has to re-apply.

 

[gyngyn]

This thread can be followed here: Planning to Reapply: Post-Bacc or SMP to Improve Application?